Aston Villa's owner, Mr Lerner, put the club up for sale early in the summer and has so far failed to sell it. Reluctant to put any more money into the club, Villa's summer transfer dealings were a "bit" desperate: they acquired Joe Cole on a free.

Philippe Senderos, who failed to cut it at relegation-quality Fulham, was also acquired on a free transfer.

And they actually had to pay money for our good friend, Aly Cissokho.

Whereas every other Premiership club were busy spending that ever-increasing TV cash, Villa's net summer spending stayed at about £7m, with defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez brought in for £4.7m as the marquee signing. Only Burnley spent less than Aston Villa.

In that light for Villa to have started the season with two wins and a draw, putting them third in the table, just goes to further highlight the genious of Paul Lambert - not that his genious needs any more highlighting for it surely is unquestionably clear for the footballing world by now.

So, Saturday's last kick-off promises to be quite the tough test on our team. Last season the fixture ended in a draw; let's see if we can defy the odds and go one better this time round.

Sturridge being out and even if Hendo was injured it wouldn't big that big of a blow as now we finally after decades have a great squad with quality players who can come in and out and keep the same level.

-We can see the Italian duo up top if we want to continue with the diamond. -May be move up Sterling to the Studger role and play one of Phil or Llana in the hole.-May be go attacking at play Coutinho instead of Allen in the midfield 3.-Maybe 4-3-3 with Marko and Sterling flanking Mario with the same midfield 3.-Maybe rest Gerrard and have Lucas or Can come in the deep lying role.-Even a chance of playing a couple pivot with Hendo-Can or Hendo-Allen or Allen-Can if we want to rest Stevie for midweek CL.